Oblate Formation 
Posts concerning Oblate and Novice formation. These include articles which are also applicable to most Christians, whether Oblate or not. Additional articles on instruction of various parts of the Rule can be found under that category.
Remembering we are the servant to each other
It is almost taken for granted in our society that, if one possesses some measure of authority or power, it is legitimate to let the petitioner know, in subtle but unmistakable ways, that a favor is being bestowed. This thinly disguised punishment for being needy has no place in community… Demetrius Dumm, OSB Cherish Christ… Read More ›
What is evil?
Abba Antony … learned that evil is the scattering of mind and spirit away from God’s presence. When the monk’s focus is deflected away from God he or she becomes subject to the demons. The demonic influences do not drive out God; they mask the awareness of God’s presence and transformative power. Patient endurance in… Read More ›
He who knows Jesus Christ can understand all sacred Scripture
The source of sacred Scripture was not human research but divine revelation. This revelation comes from the Father of Light from whom the whole concept of fatherhood in heaven and on earth derives. From him, through Jesus Christ his Son, the Holy Spirit enters into us. Then, through the Holy Spirit who allots and apportions… Read More ›
Everything flows into the will of God
As a drop of water seems to disappear completely in a big quantity of wine, even assuming the wine’s taste and color; just as red, molten iron becomes so much like fire it seems to lose its primary state; just as the air on a sunny day seems transformed into sunshine instead of being lit… Read More ›
The Value of Humility in Modern Society
Modern society is full of labels and stereotypes: poor, rich, enemy, ally, good, evil, conservative or liberal. Labels can inhibit humble openness to others. They point a finger at the “other” and in the process make it almost impossible for us to listen to each other and value each other as persons. Even worse, labels… Read More ›
We become like Christ as we come to know the Father
We are in Christ and that we become like Christ exactly to the extent that we experience God as Christ himself experienced him, that is, as a loving, affirming, and liberating Father. It is, therefore, by knowing the Father and by experiencing the Father’s love that we become one with Christ. . . . to… Read More ›
Thoughts Count
At no time of day or night are we not thinking about something. The only real question is, What is it? What do I choose to ruminate about in the interstices of the day, in the dark quiet of the night? Where does my mind go when there is nowhere specific defined for it to… Read More ›
We Cannot Control Prayer
We are passive in prayer because prayer itself is active. Prayer cannot be measured on a scale of success and failure because it is God’s work – and God always succeeds. When we believe we have failed at prayer, it is because we decided what shape our prayer should have, and are now frustrated that… Read More ›
The Service of Fatherhood
8. St. Joseph was called by God to serve the person and mission of Jesus directly through the exercise of his fatherhood. It is precisely in this way that, as the Church’s Liturgy teaches, he “cooperated in the fullness of time in the great mystery of salvation” and is truly a “minister of salvation.”(21) His… Read More ›
Honor and Deceit
Recently a young man was presented his Eagle Award. Just before the presentation the speaker talked about what is a central theme of the Scouting movement, Honor. A Scout pledges on his honor to do all that is expected of him as a scout, family member, and citizen. To violate his honor could mean forfeiture… Read More ›